Edge lighting unit



Feb. 15, 1949. J, c DlXON EDGE LIGHTINQUNIT Filed Sept. 25, 1945 'INVENTOR.

ATTOEMEY Patented Feb. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device or support frame for inspecting and repairing transparent sheeting such as plastic, Plexiglas, Lucite, etc., by supplying a Work bench or frame combined with an edge lighting unit. By shining light through the sheeting from the edge, flaws such as scratches and marks may be detected. These flaws may be removed while still in the device.

An object of this invention is to supply a device combining the function of testing transparent sheeting by edge lighting and furnishing a frame or support for the repair of said sheeting.

Further objects and advantages of this invention, as well as its construction, arrangement and operation will be apparent from the following description and claims in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation view, and

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the invention.

In the drawing, base or support It] is shown. It is of bench or convenient working height for a man standing. Frame II (see Fig 2) is built to size, for the sheeting to be tested which for commercial production is standard.

At one end of frame H is a groove i2, padded at Is on the inside edge, to support one end of the transparent sheet to be tested. At the other end of frame i l is a box It with a lid to hinged as at l5. Within the box is a row of electric bulbs 16. The lid l5 and boX M are padded at I? and box and lid are so constructed that when closed there is a gap between the padding wide enough to receive the sheeting to be tested and narrow enough to keep the light from seeping out around the sheeting.

Across the center of the frame is a padded cross batten E8 to give additional support to the transparent sheeting.

In operation, the sheeting is placed in the frame, the lid I5 closed and the lights turned on. The light travels through the sheeting from one end to the other showing up scratches or marks. These can be removed while the sheeting is still in place and the lights on.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be madein this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. Testing equipment for transparent sheeting comprising a rectangular frame and support, a

padded groove on one end of said frame to receive and support one end of a transparent sheet, a box and a hinged lid to receive and support the other end of said transparent sheet, padding in said box and on said lid to give a tight fit around said sheet, and lights in said box arranged to shine into the edge of said sheet.

2. Testing equipment and working support for transparent sheeting comprisingv rectangular frame, padded groove to receive and support one end of a transparent sheet, a padded support across the middle of said frame, a box with a a lid on the other end of said frame to receive and support the other end of said transparent sheet, electric lights within said box arranged to shine into the edge of the transparent sheeting, and padding on said box and lid to keep the light from leaking out around the box and lid edges.

JOHN C. DIXON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,113,263 Ulrich Oct. 13, 1914 1,741,748 White Dec. 31, 1929 1,930,359 Hilgenberg Oct. 10, 1933 1,994,519 James Mar. 19, 1935 2,009,340 Edwards July 23, 1935 2,080,259 Frei May 11, 1937 

